Study Sotah folio 44A with parallel Hebrew-English text, traditional commentary, and modern study tools. Free access to Babylonian Talmud online.
Text Excerpt
מת תופס ארבע אמות לטומאה. ותנא תונא: חצר הקבר, העומד בתוכה — טהור, והוא שיהו בה ארבע אמות, דברי בית שמאי. בית הלל אומרים: ארבעה טפחים. במה דברים אמורים — שפתחה מלמעלה, אבל פתחה מן הצד — דברי הכל ארבע אמות.
A corpse occupies 4 cubits with regard to impurity, as the rabbis decreed that one becomes impure when he stands within 4 cubits of a corpse. This measure protects priests and others who are forbidden to contract ritual impurity imparted by a corpse, so that they do not inadvertently become impure. And the tanna of the Mishnah taught in another Mishnah as well (Oholot 15:8): With regard to a courtyard adjacent to a grave, one who stands within it is ritually pure, provided that there are 4 cubits by 4 cubits within it. A courtyard this size constitutes its own space, according to the statement of Beit Shammai. Beit Hillel say: A space of 4 handbreadths by 4 handbreadths is enough. In what case is this statement said? 4 handbreadths suffice when the entrance to the courtyard is from above. In such a case there is no concern that one will cover the grave with his body, and thereby become ritually impure, when entering the courtyard. However, if its entrance is from the side, everyone agrees the courtyard must be at least 4 cubits by 4 cubits in size.
כלפי לייא?! אדרבה: מן הצד — מידריד ונפיק, מלמעלה — אי אפשר דלא מאהיל. אלא: במה דברים אמורים שפתחה מן הצד, אבל פתחה מלמעלה, ארבע אמות. והני מילי, חצר הקבר דמסיימא מחיצתה, אבל מת בעלמא — תפיס.
The Talmud challenges the preceding resolution: In which direction [kelapei layya] is there a distinction between the positions of the entrance? On the contrary, if one enters from the side, he can slip away and exit without becoming impure. However, if one enters from above it is impossible that he will not overlie the grave over the course of climbing in and out of the courtyard. Rather, it should say: In what case is this statement of Beit Hillel, according to which 4 handbreadths by 4 handbreadths are enough, said? It is when the entrance is from the side. However, if the entrance is from above, then the courtyard must be at least 4 cubits by 4 cubits according to all opinions. The Talmud further qualifies: And this statement applies in a courtyard adjacent to a grave whose partitions are delineated, but if there is only a corpse lying about without any enclosures, it certainly occupies and affects a surrounding area of 4 cubits.